Makeup mistakes can happen to the most skilled among us. Just when you’ve perfected your winged eyeliner you realize your powder is caking or that your foundation formula just seems off. Maybe you haven’t allowed yourself to change your makeup routine with the times or to add in little updates and swaps that better suit your skin and features. Whatever the case, makeup mistakes are common. They’re also easily fixable.
You could be making one of these seven makeup mistakes. Here’s the bottom line on why they can mess with your look and how to correct the problem.
Using Too Much Powder
Powder is one of those makeup products that you want to get just right. A little powder application in the right formulation and color for your skin and skin tone can add so much to your look. It can set your foundation and concealer, take away shine, and blur out little imperfections. But if you’re applying too much powder, especially on top of fine lines and wrinkles, the makeup can easily settle into these areas and accentuate them even more. It can appear cakey after a few hours and will need to be cleansed to remove (and, unfortunately, you’ll have to start over with your base makeup).
The solution? Be judicious with your powder application and make sure you’re choosing a lightweight translucent powder or one that matches your skin shade.
Applying Too Much Bronzer
The goal with bronzer isn’t to fake bake — if you want to look completely tan, your better bet is to apply a self-tanning product. Instead, bronzer can help you contour your face so that any area next to where it is applied looks naturally fuller and more radiant. For example, applying bronzer along your temples, beneath your cheekbones, and along your jawline then allows these focal points of your bone structure to really stand out.
What you want to avoid doing is applying so much bronzer randomly that it just makes your skin tone look unnatural.
Using Too Little Blush
You won’t often hear a makeup tip that begins with “you’re not wearing enough” but this is often true when it comes to blush. You may need a little more blush that you think to make your cheekbones come alive — and it’s not a bad idea to also brush blush along your chin, forehead, and even the center of your nose for a healthy glow.
Applying Dark Liner To Your Lower Lash Line
Applying dark eyeliner or shadow to your lower lash line can have the effect of dragging your eyes and face downward, which can look aging. Concentrate the majority of your eye makeup on your upper eyelid, including heavier liners. If you feel too bare without lower eye makeup, try dusting a neutral tape shadow to the lower lash line.
Never Changing Your Foundation Type
The foundation that worked wonders for you 10, 15, or 20 years ago may need a swap in order to catch up with your skin’s current needs. Has your skin become dryer over the years? Does it require a little more coverage to tackle common issues like discoloration? You may benefit from a medium or high coverage foundation that contains nourishing, hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Never assume that one foundation is the ONLY foundation you should use forever and ever.
Your Brows Are Too Dark
Unnatural, too-dark eyebrows had a moment a few years back. But we’ve come to realize that darker and thicker isn’t always better for everyone. If you don’t have a dramatic arch, for example, creating one can make you look harsher than you will if you simply follow your natural brow line. And the same applies to eyebrow shades. Darkening your brows by a shade can bring out your eyes, but going super dark and dramatic with a tint or eyebrow pencil may make them look inky. Probably not the look you’re going for.
Not Prepping Skin Before Makeup
Applying foundation, concealer, or even eyeshadow to unprepped skin can leave it susceptible to sliding around, caking, and not looking as beautiful and polished as it should. The solution is to always think of good skincare as your first step in your makeup routine. Make sure you moisturize your skin and then give it a few minutes to really absorb and create a smooth canvas. Next, apply a primer to create a barrier between your skin and makeup. Primer will really help makeup glide on and can even ensure it lasts longer.
These seven makeup mistakes are all too easy to make. But they can also be rectified with just a few swaps and simple changes.
